The team developed a solar farm measurement system and a thermally integrated photovoltaic-electrolyser designed to improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production. The project, created as part of the Design and Build Challenge set by East Midlands Freeport, culminated in a live demonstration at the launch of the East Midlands Zero Carbon Innovation Centre at Loughborough University.
The challenge forms part of EnerHy's distinctive collaborative training programme, which brings together first-year doctoral students from Loughborough University, Cranfield University and the University of Strathclyde to tackle real-world energy challenges through multidisciplinary teamwork and hands-on innovation. The researchers spent several months planning and developing their concepts remotely before coming together on Loughborough campus for the intensive three-week design and build programme, where they transformed their ideas into working hardware.
A key feature of the team's solution was its ability to recover heat generated by solar panels and transfer it to an electrolyser, where the thermal energy can be used to support hydrogen production. The approach addresses a common challenge in solar energy systems, where excess heat can reduce photovoltaic performance while improving the efficiency of hydrogen generation.
Throughout the project, researchers stepped beyond their own disciplines to gain practical experience in new areas. Material scientists learned soldering and fabrication techniques, while chemical engineers and other specialists developed skills in electronics, instrumentation and system integration. This multidisciplinary, hands-on approach is a hallmark of the EnerHy training programme, helping researchers develop the technical and collaborative skills needed to address complex energy challenges.
Dr Tom Betts, Reader in Applied Photovoltaics at Loughborough University, said:
"This is a timely challenge. Integrated, data-driven energy systems, and the people who can deliver them, are central to energy security and the transition to net zero. EnerHy gives students the best of both worlds: independent research and hands-on, team-based challenges. This project shows how effectively they can work under pressure across disciplines, combining complementary expertise to develop the skills needed to lead the next generation of clean energy innovation."
The completed systems were showcased during the launch of the East Midlands Freeport-funded Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, providing visitors, partners and stakeholders with an opportunity to see the researchers' work in action. As well as setting the Design and Build Challenge, East Midlands Freeport supported the development of the centre, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, skills development and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Katie Greenhalgh, Head of Green Growth and Inclusion at East Midlands Freeport and a member of the EnerHy Independent Advisory Board, said:
"When you give students the opportunity to tackle complex industry challenges and access to facilities like those we have at the Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, it just goes to show what they can achieve."